CVE-2019-5688 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2019-5688 affecting NVIDIA NVFlash, NVUFlash, and GPUModeSwitch Tools, allowing unauthorized access to device memory and registers, leading to privilege escalation or denial of service.
NVIDIA NVFlash, NVUFlash, and GPUModeSwitch Tools prior to specific versions have a vulnerability that allows authenticated users to access device memory and registers of non-NVIDIA managed devices, potentially leading to privilege escalation, information exposure, or denial of service.
Understanding CVE-2019-5688
This CVE identifies a security flaw in NVIDIA tools that could be exploited by authenticated users with administrative privileges.
What is CVE-2019-5688?
The vulnerability in NVIDIA NVFlash, NVUFlash Tool prior to v5.588.0, and GPUModeSwitch Tool prior to 2019-11 enables unauthorized access to device memory and registers of non-NVIDIA managed devices.
The Impact of CVE-2019-5688
The security flaw may result in privilege escalation, information exposure, or denial of service, posing a significant risk to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-5688
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows authenticated users to access device memory and registers of non-NVIDIA managed devices, potentially leading to privilege escalation, information exposure, or denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
- NVIDIA NVFlash
- NVUFlash prior to v5.588.0
- GPUModeSwitch prior to 2019-11
Exploitation Mechanism
Authenticated users with administrative privileges can exploit the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to device memory and registers of non-NVIDIA managed devices.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5688 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update NVFlash, NVUFlash, and GPUModeSwitch Tools to the latest secure versions.
- Restrict access to administrative privileges to authorized users only.
- Monitor system logs for any unauthorized access attempts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update security policies and access controls.
- Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of potential threats.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches and updates provided by NVIDIA promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.